MKUltras - 10mm Beads Exotic Metal Editions

MKUltras - 10mm Beads Exotic Metal Editions

The MKUltras are a hybrid design, combining elements of traditional Mala and Komboloi beads. The MKUltra name gives a nod to this lineage, as well as their expedience as tools to help us focus our minds and still our thoughts. They can be used in a variety of ways, ranging from quiet bead counting, through to raucous flipping. 

The unique setup of the MKUltras allows them to be worn like mala beads, or carried discretely in the pocket. They adjust by means of a simple friction fit through the larger "Micro Boss" bead closure. Although the design is exceedingly simple, we're fairly confident you won't find anything quite like them around. This is a knotless system, and does not require any special lock bead. The cord is simply compressed when threaded through the Micro Boss bead, providing a reliable, secure fastener, that is easy to adjust when needed.

In this way, the Ultras can be worn on the wrist, or loosened and slid up above the elbow to keep them out of the way when needed. Excess cordage can be knotted loosely around the Micro Boss bead when they are worn on the wrist, or left dangling. This modifiable arrangement allows them to be used very quietly, for simple bead counting used in breath work and meditation, to "raindrop" methods marked by the satisfying, rhythmic clacking of the beads, as well as much more physical methods of manipulation which resemble short game begleri play. While they aren't intended as a highly technical skill toy, there are still a solid range of moves you can link together, and lots of ways of working with them.

Short Form

The MKUltras 10mm Edition consists of 21x 10mm beads, with a 11.8mm Micro Boss bead to close/ adjust the loop. Though less than 2mm smaller in diameter than the beads of the original Ultras, the beads on the 10mm Edition feel substantially smaller on the wrist, in the pocket, and in the hand. The smaller sized beads are lighter, making them easier to flip in the manner of begleri, while the round shape makes them easy to grab individually for bead counting and breath work. Click here to see the Ultras in action on our Instagram feed.

Long Form

The MKUltras 10mm Long Edition consists of 33x 10mm beads, with a 15mm Lil' Boss bead w/word to close/ adjust the loop, and 2x 8mm beads on the tassel. The Long Editions have been designed primarily for the "raindrop" style of play. The extra beads provide a satisfying sound and feel as they clack together. Because of the length of the sets, they are cumbersome for flipping around and doing technical tricks, but they still allow for some basic manipulation. The sets are designed to be worn with a double loop around the wrist, but note that the beads themselves will probably fully cover the cord, meaning that exposed cord will complete the wrap (see photo for reference). Click here to see the Ultras in action on our Instagram feed.

Zircuti Editions

The elegant Zircuti material is forged from folded layers of titanium and zirconium, then precision machined, polished, and torched to create eye-popping colour patterns, reminiscent of wood grain. When machined to our specifications, the grains of the material become exposed in a way that accentuates the appearance of the curves, creating a beautiful topographic relief. These beads feature a slight etch, giving them a lightly textured feel that provides some grip as well as an interesting tactile feel you won't find in other sets. 

• Deca edition: 21x 10mm Micro Boss beads + 1x 11.8mm Micro Boss (~73g per set)
• 10mm Zircuti Long Forms: 33x 10mm Micro Boss beads + 1x 15mm lil Boss bead+ 2x 8mm beads(~ 85g per set)
• Zircuti material, with slightly etched, polished, and torched 
• All beads drilled with 3.5mm bore
• Ships on AO2's new custom 2mm Kevlar cord, and includes a spare strand of our new custom 100% silk cord 

Mokume Gane Editions

The beautiful Mokume Gane material is forged from folded layers of copper, brass, and cupronickel, then precision machined, and highly polished. While the polished version does not initially have a high contrast between material layers, this will change as the materials begin to patina, and ultimately it will show beautiful colour patterns and contrast levels.  

• Deca Size: 21x 10mm Micro Boss beads + 1x 11.8mm lil Boss (~88g per set) * two additional beads to the short form setup (23 in total). Our 10mm beads are drilled with a 3.5mm bore and strung on our custom silk cord. 
• 10mm Mokume Long Forms: 33x 10mm Micro Boss beads + 1x 15mm lil Boss bead+ 2x 8mm beads (~140.6g per set). 
• All beads drilled with 3.5mm bore
  
• Ships on AO2's new custom 100% silk cord, and includes a spare strand of our new custom 2mm Kevlar cord
  

Zirconium Editions

The beautiful zirconium edition of the MKUltras are precision machined from solid zirc, and then polished and torched to a gorgeous finish. The material has a deep grey/ black finish, which has the appearance of some depth.

• Deca Size: 21x 10mm beads + 1x 11.8mm Micro Boss bead (~66g per set)
• 10mm Zirc Long Forms: 33x 10mm Micro Boss beads + 1x 15mm lil Boss bead+ 2x 8mm beads(~110g per set)
• Zirconium material, heat treated and polished 
• All beads drilled with 3.5mm bore
• Ships on AO2's new custom 100% silk cord, and includes a spare strand of our new custom 2mm Kevlar cord

Mokuti Editions

The distinctive Mokuti editions of the MKUltras are in a class of their own. The elegant Mokuti material is forged from folded layers of titanium, then precision machined, polished, and torched to create eye-popping colour patterns, reminiscent of wood grain. When machined to our specifications, the grains of the material become exposed in a way that accentuates the appearance of the curves, creating a beautiful topographic relief. These beads feature a slight etch, giving them a lightly textured feel that provides some grip as well as an interesting tactile feel you won't find in other sets.  

• Deca Size: 21 x 10mm beads +  1x 11.8mm Micro Boss bead; ~50.0g
• 10mm Mokuti Long Forms: 33x 10mm Micro Boss beads + 1x 15mm lil Boss bead+ 2x 8mm beads; ~80g 
• All beads drilled with 3.5mm bore
• Ships on AO2's new custom 100% silk cord, and includes a spare strand of our new custom 2mm Kevlar cord

New to the Ultras? You can wear em on your wrist, or check out the video below for some other examples of what these beads are capable of.